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About The Loup City northwestern. (Loup City, Neb.) 189?-1917 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 22, 1907)
k CHAPTER XXVI. Incriminating Dispatches. She had been arranging the papers deftly in some sort of order. “You read French, 1 think? The let ter of Ferdinand is in that language; Sir Mortimer’s notes and answers are, of course, in English.” I drew toward me the first of the papers she indicated. "You are nothing if not modern in your methods,” I scoffed, glancing down the page. ‘‘Your safes and typewriters bring back to me the asso ciations of my hanking lifisiness. And a banker, let me warn you, scans the signature of a draft carefully before he cashes it.” “The typewriter is an amusing little instrument,” she yawned, “and I am proud of my success in mastering it. As for the safe, if you have been a banker, you know that the combina tion is carefully guarded, M. Coward.” It gave her the cruelest delight to taunt me with the shameful word. Dur ing the next half hour she insulted me so at least half a dozen times. I bent my attention on the paper before me. 1 I translate roughly Ferdinand's let ter: “(Strictly confidential.) “Hotel du Rhin, “Place Vendome, Paris. “May 23. “My Dear Sir Mortimer; “I expect to start for Sofia via Vien na and Budapest in about a week; I trust I shall see you at the Palace shortly after my arrival. Meanwhile let me urge on you once more that you exert without further delay your great influence with your Foreign Of fice, that your ministers may be con vinced that the crisis has come—the opportunity we have so long awaited. Now or never I must lead my army to the succor of the distressed people of Macedonia. I think that the profound knowledge you have always shown of affairs in the Balkan Peninsula must make you realize the truth of this statement. It is useless for me to re peat my arguments. For what you have done I thank you. But it is not to the diplomatist i am now speaking, but to the man. 1 have written this letter with my own hand, for reasons that you will understand. “Believe me, my oear Sir Mortimer, “Faithfully yours, “Ferdinand.” I see nothing incriminating in this letter,” I said, "nor anything out of the usual run of letters. “You will notice on the back of the letter this brief statement: ‘Answered, June 3d, M. B.’ As to the answer of the letter it is equally innocent. It is simply the guarded reply of a diplo matist dealing with a delicate topic. In these typewritten copies this letter and its answer are meaningless. The originals are simply useful to prove the authenticity of Sir Mortimer's handwriting.” I scanned the answer. It was not an exact copy, but the substance of Sir Mortimer's letter jotted down to re fresh his memory: “I replied in substance as follows: It was useless to bring up the matter again; my personal wishes would not be sufficient to change the programme of the Foreign Office; at present I did not see my way clear to advocate as a diplomatist England's espousal of this cause; I would continue to lay the matter before the Foreign Office; more than that, when events justified the act, I would see that such influence as I possessed was exerted in the man ner Prince Ferdinanl wished; but at present I could offer no encourage ment” (Note concerning the above, also in Sir Mortimer’s handwriting.) “This reply will put an end, I think, to further correspondence in that quar ter. Certainly, the hopes of the nation seem so radically devirgent from those of the ruler that I can favor one only at the expense of the other. Natur ally, I prefer to favor the party that promises the most for my own inter ests” “I told you that the originals are particularly useful to identify the handwriting and signature of Sir Mor timer. But observe, monsieur, the ex pression: ‘Naturally, I prefer to favor the party that promises the most for 4 my own interests.' That sentence is to be remembered when you read the other letters. It has its significance.” Again she stretched out her hand to receive the papers 1 had read. I did not relinquish them, however. I laid them carelessly on my knee as if to refer to them later. lhat remains to be proved,” I said grimly. “The expression seems simple enough to me; on the face of it it would mean simply that Sir Morti mer's interests were identical with the interests of England.” “We shall see,” she returned with confidence. “The papers of the second envelope, which I have called Docu ments B, are all in English. The writer was evidently an educated Bui gar of the official class; many of this class are trained at Roberts College, and speak and write English fluently.” “Sofia, Headquarters of the Society of Freedom. “To His Excellency, Sir Mortimer Brett, Minister plenipotentiary and Consul General to His Britannic Ma jesty at the Court of Sofia; “Sir: We of the Society of Freedom wait patiently and anxiously for your Excellency’s answer to our humble petition. We trust your Excellency does not ignore this petition because the signatures of the petitioners are j, not added thereto. Surely your Ex cellency understands that the dictates of prudence make it Inevitable that it is Bent to you anonymously. “Your Excellency must be familiar with our greivances. Our present ruler cannot and will not be longer tolerated by his subjects. We fear the British Foreign Office, however, does not realize the extent of Prince Ferdinand's unpopularity. Even if your ministers care nothing for that, do they feel no cqpcern that he is the tool of Russia? “He has asked Russia repeatedly that he be recognized a King, and that he receive that title. His vanity is such that he would sacrifice the free dom of his people to be on equal terms with the sovereigns of Servia and Roumania. “Once more, perhaps for the last time, we petition your Excellency to exert the extraordinary influence your Excellency possesses, that the English Minister be advised in time. The gov ernment of Prince Ferdinand must fall. We do not desire bloodshed. There shall be none, we swear it, if England will support the insurgent party. But in any case Bulgaria must be free. “We do not ask for the active aid of England. We beg that England shall not interfere with the ambitions of the people. “Your Excellency shall have no rea son to regret being our friend And there are other means of rewarding friendship besides empty words of gratitude. Let your Excellency once assure us of you intention to support our cause, and we shall make this more clear. “Your Excellency knows the man I Tore Them to Aton ner in which your answer may be con veyed to this society. “With profound expressions of re spect, we submit ourselves. “The Committee of the Society of Freedom." I placed this letter on my knee with the others I had read. “This Society of Freedom, is it con cerned with the trick of the death mask stamp?” “I fear so,” she answered in a low voice. "Then has the fact no significance for you that Dr. Starva received a let ter with one of those stamps on the envelope last night? These stamps are proscribed. They could be sent through the mail only because certain of the postal authorities were in sym pathy with the revolutionaries. Let ters with these stamps, it is safe to infer, would be sent only to those who are equally in sympathy. Dr. Starva must b# favorable to this party, if he is not actually one of the committee. 1 warned you last night that there was treachery in the camp.” “If Dr. Starva has proved to be a traitor to the cause he will receive his punishment. The memorandum of Sir Mortimer’s reply to the letter you have just read is pinned on the back of the sheet. Read it,” she commanded harshly. « is a perplexing anemma tnat has confronted- me. To keep my honor as a minister intact, and yet not to sac rifice nry own personal hopes. I thirik this is the first temptation of my dip lomatic career I have fulfilled my diplomatic duties hitherto as a ma chine, that neither thinks nor feels. Now I find that I am human; that I am a man, with a man's weaknesses. I say I am tempted. I believe that lofty principles actuate Bulgaria. That, I say to myself, is my excuse. But lofty principles are not sufficient I disguised my true feeling in answer ing this letter by vague objections.* I confessed my self in sympathy with Bulgaria's cause; but I protested that more potent arguments must be used to convince me. The interests of England are my own; but it it could be done without too great a risk, I be lieve, God help me, I would further my own ahibitions at her expense. I say 1 am tempted.” “I say I am tempted;- ‘Tf it could be done without too great risk, I be lieve,- God help me, I would further my own ambitious at her expense”— such expressions were hideously sig nificant. But I met calmly the male volent triumph of Madame de Varnier. "When you read the next letter,” she said, watching me closely, “you will understand the meaning of the expression, 'There are other means of rewarding friendship besides empty words of gratitude.’ Even so stanch an advocate of Sir Mortimer’s honor as yourself must realize that in the words you have just read, he was en deavoring to discover just what that vague pr.omise meant.” I received the next letter in silence. “To His Excellency, etc.: "Our answer to your Excellency's kind letfer wishes to make this fact clear: The people of Bulgaria pledge their word, through this committee, that if England gives to the insurgent party is support in overthrowing the rule of Ferdinand, the relation of Eng land to Bulgaria shall be similar to that which exists between Egypt and England. "The Society of Freedom is fully aware that your Excellency’s incon venience and labor must be recom pensed. The sum of £20.000 is al ready placed in the Ottoman bank, payable to your Excellency on de mand.” (Note by Sir Mortimer pinned to the above letter.) “To this 1 replied that the sum men tioned was too ludicrously small to be considered. Only the most substan tial guarantee could justify me in tak-. ing the risks involved.” (Third letter to Sir Mortimer from the society.) “To His Excellency. Etc.: “The sum of £50,000 has been placed in the Ottoman bank to your Excellency's account. The society trusts that this sum will be sufficient to justify the risks. Will your Excel lency give his answer without delay?” (Note by Sir Mortimer pinned to the above letter.) “I have taken the step. It is too late to ask myself now whether I have been indiscreet. If I have consulted my own wishes, if I have furthered my own plans, I feel that I am justified - is Before Her Eyes. morally. I am helping an oppressed people gam their liberty. My own recompense is meager enough. If the Foreign Office should probe the blat ter, and discover the extent of my in discretion, my diplomatic career will be ended. But I am content to do a little evil that good may come." I crushed the paper in my hand, sick at heart. I shuddered at the hypocritical comfort this guilty man had hugged to his breast. I had hoped against hope. But if they were true copies, I could no longer doubt that Sir Mortimer had stooped to the tak ing of bribes. “And these documents are word for word copies of those in the safe?” I demanded gloomily. “I swear it by every oath I hold sa cred!” she replied without hesitation, and kissed the jeweled cross that hung about her neck. She stretched out her hand for the papers. I tore them to atoms before her eye*. For a moment she struggled to res Where Mankind Is King Gift of Speech Puts Him in a Class by Himself. The gift, of speech is the last proof of Divine favor, in virtue of which •mankind has the rest of the animal kingdom faded, and stands in a class 4>y himeelf. Some beasts are stronger than men, and some know moie, but no beast can be such a bore as a man, nor can any beast slop over, in the true sense of the term. These distinctions we owe to the gift of speech. The gift of speech, moreover, lays us under compulsion to read a great many things which otherwise we would not, in order that when we have nothing to say, we may neverthe less say something. Thus we promote the publishing business, create a de mand for wood pulp, assist in the de forestation of the earth’s surface, stir up a new school of kickers, increase discontent and contribute, at length, to progress and petulance. Our ancestors used to consider speech a means of concealing thought, but we have nothing to conceal.— Puck. Shingle Currency. The records of the squire's court at Blaine, Whatcom county, Washington, a little town near the British Colum bia line, bear testimony to the finan cial stringency of the early '90s. What com county is in the heart of the lum ber country, and as there was no money to be had, "shingle scrip” be came the currency of the land. The court records show that John Smith was "fined 10,000 shingles for drunkenness." The books show fur ther that the fine was paid. It was an able judge who could so accommo date the law to prevailing conditions. Paying for Speed. “It costs more to live than it used to,” remarked the economist. “Yes,” answered the energetic man, “but think of how much more business you can transact in a given time and the corresponding results you can get ont of life.” cue them from my grasp. When she saw that it was too late, she laughed boisterously—a laughter that showed at once contempt, defiance and tri umph. "Bravo!” She clapped her hands dersively. "You take your precau tions. You are desperate. Protest as you will, you are convinced of Sir Mor timer's guilt.” "You are mistaken,” I replied cool ly. “But even if these papers are true copies of genuine documents, it is as well that even the copies be destroyed. If they are forgeries, and you have yet to prove to me they are not, they are dangerous toys, and so better de stroyed.” “Another copy is easily made, so long as 1 have the combination of my safe, M. Coward.” “You are never weary of insulting me," I said indifferently. “But be sure of this, you will find I am not coward enough to yield weakly to your scheme of blackmail.” “No; you are so brave that you leave a helpless girl to bear the dis grace of her dead brother, when by a word you might save her the suffer ing. Your pretended honor is so pre cious to you that you scorn to aid the woman whom you love.” "Silence, woman!” 1 cried passion ately. “Do you think I am convinced of Sir Mortimer's guilt because of these flimsy typewritten copies? You must let me see the papers in the safe.” if von are desperate enough to de stroy a copy, I should scarcely trust you with the original. For the last time, must the woman you love know of her brother’s disgrace? I am in your power; perhaps you hope that I shall be coaxed into opening the safe. Or are you about to compel me?" “I should have resorted to that measure long ago had I thought it would prove effectual. It seems that there is again a deadlock between us. I refuse absolutely, not only to help you, but to believe that Sir Mortimer is guilty." ‘ ‘if I show the papers in the safe to Helena Brett, even she must believe the evidence of her eyes. Shall I call her and ask her if she recognizes her brother’s handwriting? If you believe so strongly as you profess that Sir Mortimer was innocent of wrong-do ing, you w'lll not refuse that.” ‘‘I would spare her even the thought of its possibility,” I said sternly. ‘‘That is impossible. She shall see those papers—if not to-day, to-morrow, the next day; it makes little difference to me." “ ’Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof,’” I quoted flippantly; but I began to think it inevitable that Helena Brett be summoned. "Again we must compromise it ap pears. I will call Sir Mortimer's sister here. She shall see the papers—de cide for herself and for you whether they are genuine. You see. I am strong enough to prevent a woman from destroying the originals as you ■ have destroyed the copies.” "And when she has seen those pa pers?” I asked thoughtfully. ‘‘Sav even that she herself believes them genuine? What then?” “It will be for her to decide. Per haps she will refuse to ask you to do what I wish. Perhaps she will offer to you happiness if you consent. She shall be the one to decide. You pro fess to believe that Sir Mortimer is innocent. More than that, you think her soul so white that she will refuse, even if she believes her brother guilty, to rescue his memory from dishonor with dishonor.” She had put into words my own thought. “We will let her decide,” I said quietly. CHAPTER XXVII. The Two Women. “And am I again to shout my com mands to my servant through the closed door?" asked Madame de Var nier ironically. I unlocked the door of the staircase in silence, taking the precaution, how ever, of not admitting Alphonse. “Has Miss Brett come to the cha teau as I wished?" Madame de Var nier spoke naturally through the half opened door, not betraying my pres ence behind it. “She is waiting In the muBlc room, madam.” "Bring her here.” “I shall do as madam wishes. But this American, this man we called his Excellency—he surprised me just now —has he intruded on madam or—” “He came here to keep an appoint ment with me," Madame de Varnier replied composedly, cutting short his agitated whisper. “Ah, that is well." Alphonse sighed his relief, and de parted on his errand. “What inducement can you have of fered that she should come boldly to this CaBtle of Despair?” “Is not the inducement great that she is to see a loved brother?” (TO BE CONTINUED.) ^—————— Spain's Royal Infant <fk First portrait of King Alphonso’s son and heir, the Prince of Asturias shown in the arms of the Countess of Puerto; the new crown prince is thriv ing wonderfully and is said by the court physician to be in perfect health. The baby is gaining in weight rapidly and has developed in intelligence to such an extent that he recognizes his parents and prefers their society, on the rare occasions when state affairs do not take them away from him. In spite of the fact that he is attended by a corps of nurses the royal infant is in no danger of being spoiled, and is already being taught that he cannot have his own way simply by crying for what he wishes. TONGUE TIED BY WRIT. LANDLORD OBTAINS INJUNCTION AGAINST WOMAN. Man Has Troublesome Tenant Re strained by Court From Speaking to Him or Her Own Hus band About Orders. Kalamazoo, Mich.—A Kalamazoo man has at last discovered the way to curb the tongue of woman. His discovery is timely, and the only fear is that the system will be worked overtime. Frank B. Morris, who owns a farm near this city, employed Irve Savage to work it. Savage has a wife, claimed to be all her name implies, and soon after the farmhand and his wife had taken possession of the tenant cottage on the farm Mrs. Savage discovered that she did not like the owner. The dislike grew' and finally reached Mrs. Morris. The landow'ner claimed that during his and his wife's visits to their farm to oversee the work and give orders Mrs. Savage made life mis erable for them. Consulting an attor ney he was advised to make applica tion for an injunction. Morris followed the advice, and his petition was presented to Judge John W. Adams. In it he charged that Mrs. Savage has an uncontrollable temper, and frequently used coarse language in his presence and that of his wife. The woman was also alleged to have influenced her husband not to carry out the orders given by Morris, and the landowner prayed the court that Mrs. Savage be enjoined from speaking to either himself or wife on the farm or on the street. Also that she be restrained from interfering with her husband carrying out the or ders his employer Issued. The injunction was issued, and the court’s order was served on Mrs. Sav age. By its provisions she cannot, without being in contempt of court, leave the lot which surrounds the tenants’ cottage, nor can she speak to Mr. and Mrs. Morris. Enraged by the order, Mrs. Savage packed her belongings and moved away from the farm. Before going, however, she pulled up every growing plant in the garden she had made. While the Savages have left the Mor ris farm, the court's order stands, and Mrs. Savage must not speak as she passes her husband's former employ er on the streets. DREAM MADE HER BREAK NECK. In Turning Girl Dislocated Vertebrae —Surgeons Reset Them. Camden, N. J.—Dreaming of bears, the traditional bugaboos of childhood, ten-year-old Olga Bennett of South Second street was frightened so badly by a vision of the beasts pursuing her that she turned suddenly and dislocat ed her neck. The pain of the disloca tion awakened her and she called loudly for help. Her parents rushed to her bedside and tried to allay her fears, but she continued to scream un til she fainted from the pain. When the older folks attempted to revive her they noticed that her head hung limp from her body. Not under standing what could ail the child they called in a physician. He saw imme diately that her neck was dislocated. An ambulance was called and she was hurried to the Homeopathic hospital, where a careful examination of the in jury was made. It was found impos sible to make any progress in giving the girl even temporary relief until the X-rays were used. With their aid an attempt was made to replace the dislocated vertebrae. The first few attempts were unsuc cessful, and the surgeons were in des pair of saving the child’s life; but finally an attempt was made which is thought to have been successful. With the aid of a harness the girl’s head has been put in position and held there. It will be several days, how ever, before it is known what the re sults of the peculiar accident will be. In the meantime the case is being watched with much interest by the medical profession of this and neigh boring cities. ONE-HALF OF HIS BONES REMOVED. Man Live* Ten Months After Remark able Operation. Detroit, Mich.—George J. Schwartz, aged 31, died after living ten months without any bones on the right side of his body, lying flat on his back during the entire time, his fight against death for nearly a year providing a new won der for the world of medicine. Mr. Schwartz was afflicted with a tumor three years ago. He underwent an operation. This was unsuccessful and three, other operations followed within the two years following. Last summer his condition became so seri ous that his physicians decided an other operation was all that could pro long his life. A like attempt had never been per formed. Physicians found that all the bones on the right side of the trunk were diseased and must be removed to insure a continuance of life. The operation was held Oct. 3 last at the Detroit sanitarium, and was witnessed by physicians from all over Michigan, medical students and members of the medical profession from adjoining states. All the ribs on the right side, the collar bone, the breastbone, part of the hip and shoulder blade were re moved and the patient was left with out any frame for his right side. Mr. Schwartz recovered, but was never able to lie in any other position than on his back. His fortitude wa declared marvelous by all physicians under whose notice the patient came No one who witnessed the operation thought he would survive. For some time past his death was momentarily expected, but he constantly rallied un til the battle against the final end had exhausted all strength. When a woman has a good-looking husband she always keeps one eye on him and the other on her woman friends. WOMEN ASK FOR UNIFORMS. Are Willing to Wear Bloomers to Save Street Car Fare. St. Louis.—The women clerks in the East St. Louis post office may soon be decked in uniforms. Postmaster Jos eph B. Messick, who has been in com munication with the department at Washington, has recommended the adoption of a uniform consisting of a “romper” waist and skirt, of material resembling in color and texture the garments worn by the carriers. It is believed permission will be granted Postmaster Messick to make the ex periment The principal reason for the change lies in the fact that the men employes, when in uniform and wearing a badge, ride on street cars without paying car fare. A lump sum is paid monthly by the men to the street car company, and this is less than their car fare would be to and from the post office. The plan has worked admirably, the letter carriers getting over their routes more guickly and handling much more ■Mil than they could walking, as was the custom several years ago. The girl clerks and employes of the post office seem to think they have been discriminated against and are willing to wear any uniform suggested, so that they, too, will have the benefit of the free car rides to and from their work. Postmaster Messick says It would stop rivalry in dress among the em ployes and better the service gen erally. Up to Snuff. The Farmer—Sell!n' books, hey? I expected a lot of yew fellers would be along here any day, but I can tell' yew I fer one ain’t as green as I uster be! I read the papers now an’ then, b’gosh! The Book Agent (bewildered) — Great cats! What’s the matter with us? The Farmer (mysteriously)—Nuth in’—only no later than yeatlddy I read where the perllce wuz drivin’ all yew handbook fellers out uv Noo York! — Puck. THEN TRAMPS LONG DISTANCE TO REJOIN HUSBAND. Pretty “Broncho Buster” After Being Arrested for Masquerading at Last Reaches Better Half Iq Western City. Spokane, Wash.—After having tramped more than 1,000 miles attired in a man's garments, arrested at Walla Walla, south of here, and detained in jail two weeks on a technical charge of masquerading, Mrs. George Earl, who was Nora Clay, daughter, of a former cattle grower near Ft. Worth. Tex., has joined her husband in Spokane after a separation of six weeks. Thev eloped three years ago, be cause the bride’s father threatened to place her in a convent. She was then 10 years of age, and had a reputation throughout the panhandle as a “bron cho buster.” Mrs. Earl is of medium height, slender and comely, a typical Texyi, and speaks with an air of re finement. George Earl has found em ployment in a local hotel, where Mrs. Joseph A. White has given the girl wife a home. This is her story: “I was raised on the plains of Texas and started to ride bronchos when four years of age. When I was 10 I started busting mustangs and Indian ponies. Papa sold his ranch later and started a wild west show. I did trick riding and broncho busting. It was easy, as I had roped and branded cattle on the Texas ranges. "While with the show I met George and we fell in love. My parents ob jected to our marriage because they said I was too young. I was 16. Then George and I ran away, because papa threatened to put me in a convent. I was to be taken to Lott from El Paso on the 6:35 o'clock evening train and George and I left for Waco an hour earlier. "We went around the country, final ly going to Oregon. "George failed to get work and started for Walla Walla. I did not hear from him for several days, and my funds gave out. Determined to reach him, I decided to don a suit of his clothing and beat my way to Walla Walla. Reaching there, I heard he had gone to Spokane, and started out to tramp it to this city. When I reached Starbuck I got a report that he was at Walla Walla, and turned back. “I tramped all the way from Star buck back to Walla Walla on the rail road track, not having a bite to eat from Sunday morning to Monday night. I was arrested by the consta ble at Walla Walla, who noticed that I wore women’s shoes, and suspected that I was masquerading. “I told the police of Walla Walla that I was stranded, and was deter mined to reach my husband and real ized that the adoption of a disguise was the only means whereby I could carry the scheme through. I was turned over to the Salvation army, where I was treated nicely, and re ceived transportation to Spokane, after George had written to me where he was. We expect to stay in Spokane, as we have found good friends who will assist us in making a home.” TWITS BRIDE-ELECT; SPURNED. Pennsylvania Swain Makes Fatal Mis take at Clerk’s Desk. Philadelphia.—Because her fiance twitted her about her age. Miss Emma Perth, of Reading, broke off her en gagement with Harry Bissell, of the same city at the marriage license bu reau in the city hall this morning. Miss Perth indignantly told Bissell that he talked too much for her, and that he could go and find some other girl to marry. All went well until Clerk Smith be gan to ask the customary questions. Bissell stated that he was 24 years old, while the bride-to-be admitted 29 sum mers. “She doesn’t look her age, though,” said Bissell. “You needn't apologize for me,” said the prospective bride. “I am old enough to know my own mind.” “You bet you are,” replied Bissell. “I consider that an insult,” said Miss Perth. “You talk too much. Now I will never marry you. No man who makes remarks about his wife’s age will make a good husband. Good-by.” Hogs to Eat Omaha Garbage. St. Louis.—It was learned the other day that 1,000 head of hogs bought recently by Thomas McPherson from the immense herd of porkers on Ches ley Island, in the Mississippi river be low the city, where the St. Louis gar bage is consumed by the swine, were destined to feed on the garbage of Omaha. The municipal contractors had found that the high-bled Poland Chinas and Berkshires from Iowa wouldn’t eat the daily dumpings of filth from Omaha. The Omaha con tractor paid a good price for the St. Louis swine with undiscriminating taste. Cupid Kept Busy at Panama. New York.—According to Herman Weeks and his wife, who arrived here the other day from Panama, the gov ernment has promised every nlan who brings his bride to the canal zone or marries there a detached cottage. The result has been such a boom in marrying that the brides and brides grooms are ahead of the cottages by several laps. Hen Is 20 Years Old. Northville, Mich.—Wesley Mills of this place has a hen that is 20 years old which he raised on his little farm here. It is just as brisk an egg layer as any in his flock. A peculiar char acteristic of the egg bird is that it does a crowing stunt every day just like a rooster. What the Floods Did. ‘‘What makes sugar so high this year?" asked the lady customer. “The high price is due to the spring floods, ma'am,’ replied the grocer. “Well,” rejoined the 1. c., “I suppose the floods did carry away a lot of sand."—Chicago New*.